description MV Sewol Overview
MV Sewol was a South Korean passenger ferry that operated a route between Incheon and Jeju Island. On April 16, 2014, the vessel capsized while carrying 476 passengers and crew, most of whom were high school students on a field trip from Danwon High School. The incident resulted in 304 deaths, largely due to the ship's sudden listing and inadequate evacuation procedures. The sinking caused widespread public outrage in South Korea, leading to governmental reforms, maritime safety investigations, and a highly critical public inquiry.
insights Ranking position
MV Sewol ranks #15 of 186 in the Shipwreck ranking, behind SS Edmund Fitzgerald, ahead of MV Le Joola.
help MV Sewol FAQ
Why did the MV Sewol capsize?
Investigations identified a dangerous combination of vessel modifications, overloading, poorly secured cargo, reduced ballast, and a sharp turn. As the ferry listed, shifting cargo worsened the instability and prevented it from recovering.
Why were so many Danwon High School students unable to escape?
Passengers were repeatedly told to remain where they were even as the ship's list became severe. Many students obeyed those instructions, while the captain and several crew members left the vessel before numerous passengers were rescued.
How many people were aboard the Sewol and how many died?
The ferry carried 476 passengers and crew when it capsized on April 16, 2014. The disaster killed 304 people, most of them students from Danwon High School.
Was the Sewol recovered from the seabed?
Yes. The wreck was raised in 2017, nearly three years after the sinking, and transported to Mokpo for examination and searches.
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